Geography

Various autos by Sola dealing with maritime traffic in the Californias. Sola submits listing of duty charges for use of national ships carrying sand, grease, a ramrod, leather, wool (clean and dirty),chamois leather, otter. He requests that national ships receive same rights that were demanded at their ports of origin. Itinerary for ship San Antonio (32-men crew) which left Lima destined for California and frigate cazadora which made various stops --panama, Lima, Chile, and other american ports before arriving in California. Recounts ship's need of landing to gather wood and water. Short account of Buenos-Ayres rebels attacking Chile due to lack of resources --medicine, agricultural tools, etc. Frays Duran and Marquinez protest new tax placed on goods from new Indian converts.

Series of documents dealing with Ugalde's military campaigns against Mescaleros, Comanches, Lipanes, and Lipiyanes in Coahuila. Discussion of Ugalde's arrival to Coahuila and his survey of the area in preparation for his campaign; he is informed of combats with Comanches, and there is a good description of the military tactics employed by the Indians; there is also reference to trade between soldiers and Comanches after battle. Ugalde sends detailed diary of his campaigns to viceroy. Lists number of soldiers employed, as well as the number and types of weapons used in the expedition; clothing of Indian auxiliaries are described, as well as amount and type of food required by soldiers and Indian auxiliaries; there is good discussion of the mass given before departure of troops, as well as the use of an effigy of the virgin of Guadalupe in order to receive divine assistance. Ugalde also informs of problems associated with lack of water and death of many horses. He gives a good description of the area referring to the many rivers, lakes, aguajes, and mountains encountered in his path. Includes summary of all Indians that were killed, injured, and taken captives, and of all tribes that sought peace. He complains many Mescaleros fled to presidio del norte where they were given refuge, and that this diminishes to some extent, all the gains made in the campaign. In other letters the viceroy approves of Ugalde's actions and requests more cooperation between Ugarte and Ugalde. (J. Tapia, October, 1987)

(J. Tapia, October, 1987)

Series of documents dealing with the bad attitude of Ugalde towards the Indians. Ugarte complains to viceroy that Ugalde ignores peace treaties with the Mescaleros and continues to attack them. Mescaleros upset and mistrust the Spaniards. Letter of September 13, 1787, Ugalde gives detailed description of his attacks on the Indians; he argues they should not be thrusted, and they only seek peace when they are about to be exterminated. Good description of Aguajes and Parajes of the area. (J. Tapia, September, 1987)

Assembled copies of form letters sent to commanders of local companys giving instructions as to their duties in impending campaign. Each letter worded the Same, only difference being name of company and jurisdictions under protection of each. Letters give orders of how many men of each rank to be counted in supplies to each company; schedule of tour; manner of attack; general reconnaissance reports of Indian activity in area. F.107 speaks of remuneration to be given to wives, children of those killed in duty. F.108 speaks of bravery of vasals of king, who conquered these vast kingdoms, not in centuries, but in less than three years, and afterward exterminated various [indian] nations. F. 137 begins supplement to instructions; mentions peace granted to 8 Mescalero capitanes, but orders that area be patrolled as carefully as in wartime. (A. Dean, April 1990)

Continuation of correspondence with Escandon concerning affairs along Costa del Seno Mexicano; epidemic of unspecified disease which has caused suspension of labor in mines of Sierra Tamaulipa; damage to corn crops and livestock caused by drought in 1764; petitions virrey to promote to rank of Mariscal; sends expedition to survey northern coastline of Nuevo Santander. Expedition describes complex system of outer sand banks, discovery of Island off of San Juan mission near mouth of Nuezes discovery of wreckages of English and French ships. Also includes accounts of establishment of three Villas along coast between mouths of Rios Grande and Nuezes, and of theft of livestock by Indians inhabiting Sierra Sihuy. (A. Tukey, July 1989)

Mendinueta relates that prior calmness of Cumanches on frontier is gone. Relates Cumanche raids and murders. Complains of inefficiency of tracking Cumanches because of terrain and lack of water; tells of incident in which Apache guides were deceitful. Notes plains south of Colorado River unsuitable for settlement. Croix responds but has no suggestions on how to track Indian offenders. (S. Gibbs, July 1987)

Mendinueta recommends to Croix that El Paso presidio be better agricultural lands, more defensible position against Apaches. Notes that presidio is undermanned. Argues that it be augmented by settlers and indios Genizaros, who should be settled at Rancheria. (S. Gibbs, July 1987)

Virrey Amarillas orders gobernadores to prepare report of campaigns with special attention to waterholes and pasture, to be archived and serve as instruction to each new gobernador. Marin del Valle submits such a document to incoming gobernador Portillo. States there are few waterholes, little good pasture; details of hostilities from Cumanches. (D. Marksz, August 1987)

Mendinueta sent militia to protect frontier at Ojo Caliente from attacks by Cumanches. Mention of commerce with French and English. (D. Marksz, July 1987)